a Council where he would meet him with Victor Divo is the appointed place between France and Germany The Emperor with Victor and some Kings cometh to the Council Alexander refuseth because he call'd it not and calls another at Tours in France The Emperor angry returneth to Germany and sendeth Victor into Italy where he dyeth and Guido called Paschal the 3d is chosen after him The Romans chose Consuls that were Alexander's Friends and send for him to Rome and receive him The Italians then arm against the Emperor who cometh with an Army into Italy and taketh Ancona The Greek Emperor is drawn to promise the Pope a great Army against Frederick so he would unite the Empire and Churches again This afrighteth the Emperor The Tusculanes and the Abanes had a War with the Romans that oppressed them with Tribute and gave the Romans a grievous overthrow The Emperor besiegeth Rome William of Sicily sends help to the Pope The People of Rome intreat the Emperor for Peace which he promiseth on condition the worthier Pope may be chosen and the Schism ended The Pope Alexander hearing of this flieth secretly by Ship The Plague driveth the Emperor from Rome he goeth into Germany The Pope's Friends in Italy get strength The Greek Emperor Emanuel sendeth yet larger offers to the Pope if he would restore him the Western Empire by Re-union Pope Paschal dyeth The Tusculane Cardinal called Calistus the 3d is chosen in his stead and reigned seven years saith Onuphr But the Tusculanes refusing him he goeth to Alexander and resigneth to him all his right in Tusculum Whereupon the Tusculanes receive Alexander who there heard the Ambassador of Henry King of England purging him of the guilt of the death of Tho. Becket and sent into England two Cardinals with power to examine all the matter who imposed on the King though swearing he was innocent that for Penance he should maintain Soldiers for Ierusalem and for three years should have an Army against the Barbarians and defend the Church-liberties in his Land and not hinder Appeals to Rome All which he sware By which saith Platina he merited that the Title of the Kingdom of England should be transferred on him and his Heirs by the Pope's consent whence it is observed that all the Kings of England do recognize or acknowledge the Rights of the Kingdom from the Pope of Rome A just Reward for their serving the Titular Servant of Servants in his pestilent Ambition That he should thence take them for his Vassals and take himself for the disposer of their Crowns stooping to such Priests doth make them Kings of Kings Yet Alexander hath not got possession of Rome it self so far was he from being received by all the world and so low did he condescend as to offer the Citizens That if they would receive him he would come in peace and meddle with nothing but Divine matters leaving to them the care of secular things And when they would not grant him this much he went to Signia Was this man truly the Bishop of Rome that had no more of the Citizens consent so much as to dwell among them There he Canonizeth the Archbishop of Canterbury Tho. Becket for a Saint The Emperor entereth Italy and taketh many Cities but the Venetians owning the Pope and he being wearied with Wars at Papia treateth of a Peace But this not taking the Emperor shortly returned with another Army into Italy but was so hard put to it by the Millanois and others in one fight that he narrowly escaped death himself This one loss made the Nobles that followed him say That they suffered this because they fought unlawfully against the Church and if he made not his peace presently with the Pope they would go home So that the Emperor was forced to submit to the Pope for fear of being forsaken by his Subjects and Soldiers At Venice they met and the Emperor kissing the Pope's feet credible Historians say That the Pope trod on his Neck scornfully and profanely repeating the words of the Psalm Thou shalt tread on the Lion and Adder c. Ps. 91. 13. But Baronius and Binnius will not believe this though as Fowlis noteth p. 261. it is recorded by Ciaconius Masson and abundance more of their own Historians and preserved in the Archives of the Library at Venice and the Picture of the Story hang'd publickly in the Senate House The Emperor's severity against them of Milan was not for nothing They not only brake their Oath by Rebellion but when his wife Beatrix came to see the City set her on a Mule backward with the tail in her hand and so led her in scorn from one Gate out at the other What may not such provocation do to an Emperor The stir that there was about the Emperor's holding the Stirrup to Pope Urban is recorded by divers Historians And how the Kings of France and England did the like by Alexander And how this on debate was said to be their due The truth is the Papists Princes of Europe themselves are beholden to the Protestants for redeeming them from Servitude and their Kingdoms from the meer will and mercy of the Pope § 176. The Pope having conquered the Emperor by Cursing is past doubt now of Conquering Rome for such Men were Bishops by Conquest and not by Consent To Tusculum he goeth and now demandeth of the Romans that they abrogate the Office of the Consuls But finding this too hard a task to be done at once he maketh a bargain with them that none should by the People be chosen Consuls till they had taken an Oath of Fidelity to the Pope in his own proposed words and that they would never do any thing against his dignity And so Alexander goeth the third time to Rome and calls a Council but quickly dyeth when after twenty years contention he thought he was new setled in peace An. 1185. § 177. Onuphrius after Radavicus Frising Ioan. Cremon Abb. Ursperg c. saith that it was this Pope Alexander that first ordained that the Clergy and People being excluded from the Election of the Pope and so he was no true Bishop the choice should be in the Cardinals shut up in Conclave and go by two third parts of their Votes to avoid Schisms for the time to come Onuphrius saith that he had the writing of Pope Lucius the 3d that saith he was the first that was chosen by the Cardinals scrutiny though the Cardinals in a looser way were lately made Electors before He that is no Bishop is no Universal Bishop or Pope But he that is not chosen by the Clergy or People of that Church is no Bishop The Minor is proved by the Canons of many Councils § 178. The Epistles of Alexander are so full of Usurpation and Treason against Princes that Binnius thought it best to omit them and give you but the Titles But those that concern England are in Mat. Paris whom Binnius referreth you to
spoken of by Platina he sate above one year It 's said that he dyed of grief for the loss of Ierusalem in his time CCCCXXXI A Council he had at Paris they say for Ierusalem too late § 186. Gregory the 8th succeedeth him two months and dyeth § 187. An. 1187. Clement the 3d succeeded him who importuneth the Christian Kings to recover Ierusalem The Emperor Frederick the King of France and Richard King of England go in person The Emperor was drowned in Asia as he was waâ—â—ing himself in a River The rest do much but all to little purpose but to the great destruction of many Christians The Pope sendeth an Army into Sicily to claim it for the Church because the King dyed childless There also bloody havock is made An. 1188. An Assembly at Paris furthered the Holy War Binnius will call it a Council § 188. Though this Clemens sate but three years and five months he ended the long War between the Romans and the Pope granting them their Senators but deposing their Patricius or Head that Union might not strengthen them § 189. Caelestine the 3d cometh next who to get Sicily from Tancred gets out of a Nunnery a devoted Virgin that was the Heiress and marrieth her to the young Emperor Henry the 6th and giveth him with her the Kingdoms of Sicily and Naples when he can get them and so wholly obligeth him to the Church and to surrender Tusculum which the Romans utterly demolish Sicily the Emperor gets and puts out Tancred's eyes but Naples was too hard for him his Soldiers dying of the Plague How the King of France and the King of England disagreed in Palestine and how the King of France returned home and treacherously joined with Iohn the King's Brother to invade the King of England's Dominions and so called him from attempting the Siege of Ierusalem and how he was taken Prisoner by the way home many Histories acquaint you § 190. Binnius out of Urspergens tells us how this Pope that had sent the King of France into Palestine for his repudiating his Wife after interdicted the whole Kingdom of France the use of holy thing O horrid Villany worse than Heathenish For one Man's Family-sin to forbid so great a Kingdom to worship their God and Saviour Saladine when he had taken Ierusalem dealt better with the Christians O bewitched Princes and People that by their degenerate Prelates would be brought to suffer or submit to such a wickedness contrary to the nature of all Religion O wicked Prelates and Clergy that would obey an Usurper in sucâ— a wicked Interdict But the King of France grievously punished his Clergy for the Fact For it was done by the Pope's Legat and the Bishops at a Council at Divion the CCCCXXXII here § 191. Next cometh the great Pope Innocent the 3d a young man of 30 years old called Lotharius An. 1198. § 192. The Duke of Saxony Otho the 4th succeedeth the Emperor Henry the 6th But Philip of Suevia is his Competitor and the King of France was for Henry's Brother and the Pope for Otho hating Frederick's Line Some say Philip conquered and deposed Otho but Petavius after divers others saith that they agreed that Philip should Reign quietly during his life and Otho afterward succeed him After ten years Otho a Palatine of the Rhine killeth Philip and Otho again Reigneth quietly marrying Philip's daughter But seeking to possess Apulia and Calabria by Arms and not obeying the Pope's Prohibition the Pope Excommunicateth him first and after sentenceth him deprived or deposed which at his command the Archbishop of Mentz publisheth which Otho despising the Pope to shew that he can make and unmake Emperors and Kings sets up Frederick King of Sicily Henry the 6ths Son by Câ—nstantia the Nun formerly saith Binnius which Petavius denieth and commandeth all to take him for Emperor The King of France stands for Frederick and the King of England for Otho Otho is overcome being forsaken and dyeth for grief and Friderick a young man twenty years old prevaileth § 193. Passing by the English and Scottish Councils for the Sabbath or Lords day CCCCXXXIII The Roman Council that deposed the Emperor Otto for rebellion against the Pope was An. 1210. § 194. This Pope excommunicated our King Iohn for rejecting Stephen Laughton Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Yea he deposed him quantum inse and interdicted Gods worship to the whole Kingdom for six years three months and fourteen dayes O wicked Bishops and Priests that would give over the worship of God because an Usurper forbad it The Pope gave the King of France commission to seize on England King Iohn is constrained to please the Pope What wars were hereupon in England and how he gave up his Kingdom at last to the Pope and to hold it as of him our own Historians certifie us yea and how he offered the King of Morocco to turn Mahometan for his help § 195. CCCCXXXIX Next cometh the famous 4th Laterane Council called by the Papists the 12th General approved of 400 Bishops and 800 other Fathers for others they have an 1215. Regn. Frider. 2. In the first Cap. is the Creed and their Transubstantiation asserted as the way of Union between Christ and us we taking his flesh as he took ours and that no one can make this Sacrament but a Priest ritely ordained according to the Keyes of the Church which Christ gave to the Apostles and their successours But the Sacrament of Baptism saveth by whom soever it is ritely done The 2d Cap. condemneth Abbot Ioachim's doctrine who opposed Lombard as making a quaternity for saying that Quaedam summa res est Pater Filius et Spiritus Sanctus et illa res non est generans nec genita nec procedens which the Council owneth The 3d. Cap. is this We excommunicate and anathematize every Heresie extolling itself against this holy Orthodox Catholick faith which we before expounded condemning all Hereticks by what names soever called having indeed divers faces but tails tyed together because they agree in vanity in the same thing And being damned let them be left to the present secular power or their Bailiffs to be punished by due animadversion the Clerks being first degraded from their orders so that the goods of such damned ones if they be Lay-men be confiscated but if Clerks let them be applied to the Churches from which they had their stipends But for those that are found notable only by suspicion unless they shew their innocency by a congruous purgation according to the considerations of the suspicion and the quality of the person let them be smitten with the sword of anathema cursed from Christ and avoided by all till they have given condign satisfaction so that if they remain a year excommunicate they be then condemned as Hereticks And let the secular powers be warned and induced and if need be compelled by ecclesiastical censure what offices soever they are in that as they desire to be
constraineth credit to their reports On the other side who can believe such palpable Railers as Tympius Cochleus Genebrard and many such that lye contrary to certain evidence such as make the Vulgar believe that Luther learnt his Religion of the Devil and was killed by him that Oecolanpadius was kill'd by the Devil that Bucer had his guts pull'd out and cast about by the Devil that Calvin was a stigmatized Sodomite and Sensualist that Beza died a Papist who lived long after to write a Confutation and abundance such Melchior Adam gathereth his History of Lives from the Pens of those that most intimately knew the persons what able holy laborious and excellent servants of God were Calvin Beza Daneus Knox and many such as described by Adamus and in the judgment of those that were their most knowing observers But what vile rebellious wretches were they in the judgment of Doctor Heylin and such as he what excellent persons did God use for the beyond-sea Reformation even as in France and Holland Iewel Bilson and other Bishops defend that which Heylin describeth as the most odious Rebellions He maketh the Geneva Presbyterians to do that against their Bishop which Dr. Pet. Moulin in his Answer to Philanax Anglicus sheweth was done before while they were Papists Some things in Heylins History of the Reformation and the Presbyterians I believe which he bringeth Records for but upon his own word I can scarce believe any thing that he saith so palpably partial is he and of so malicious and bloody a strain representing excellent persons as odious intollerable Rogues and the Reformation even of the Lutherans as too bad but that in France Belgia Friesland the Palatinate Hungary Transilvania Scotland to be but a series of the most odious Rebellions Murders and horrid Sacriledge and ours in England to be much the Spawn of King Henries Lust and thinking King Edward 6. his death a seasonable mercy and odiously representing such excellent Bishops as Grindall Abbot and Vsher and such excellent Divines as we sent to Dort Davenant Hall Ward Carlton c. It pleaseth the Prelatists to say truly of me that I am no Presbyterian and thâ—â—fore speak not for the persons in partiality as one of their party but I 〈◊〉 say as in Gods sight that in my own acquaintance I have found that sort of men whom Dr. Heylin and such other reproach as Presbyterians and Puritans to be the most serious conscionable practical sober and charitable Christians that ever I knew yea verily the knowledge of them hath been a great help to the stedfastness of my Faith in Christ Had I known no Christians but carnal worldly and formal men who excel not Heathens in any thing but Opinion it would have tempted me to doubt whether Christ were the Saviour of Souls as I should think meanly of the Physitian that doth no cures But when I see holy mortified persons living in the love of God and man I see that Faith is not a dead fancy And when I have lived in intimate familiarity with such from my Childhood to the sixty fifth year of my age and known their integrity notwithstanding their infirmities and then read such Histories as represent them as the most odious flagitious persons I see it is not for nothing that some men are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the Scripture and the Children of their Father the Devil who was from the beginning a lying malignant Murderer Two Crimes I have long ago heard the Rabble charge on those whom they called Puritans Lying and Covetousnes whereas near two thousand Ministers are cast out and suffer which they could mostly escape if they durst but lye and if I ask money for the Poor of what party soever I can sooner get a Pound from those called Puritans than a Shilling from others far richer than they Can I take any men to be other than malignant lyars who would make men believe that such men as Hildersham Dod Rogers Ball Paul Bagne Ames Bradshaw c. were Rogues and seditious Rebels or that revile such as Vsher Hall Davenant c. Reader believe not a word of any of the revilings or odious characters and stories which any aspiring worldly factious Clergy man writeth of such as are his Adversaries lying is their too common language yea if they do but once set themselves eagerly to seek Preferment I will never trust them or take their words It hath been so of old the same man that was a Saint to his Acquaintance hath been described as wicked or a Devil by others How bad were Origen and Chrysostome to Theophilus Alexand. and Epiphanius And how bad was Theophilus to the Historians that write his actions How excellent a person was Cyril Alex. to the Council of Colcedon and how bad a man was he to Theodoret Isidore Pleus c. Ignatius Const. was a Saint to Nicetas and many others and to Photius he was an Antichrist and wicked limb of the Devil Photius was a holy man to his Party and a wicked wretch to Nicetas and others Yea see the credit of worldly Prelates the same Bishops one year cry down Ignatius as a wicked man and call Photius a holy person and the next year or shortly after cry down Photius for a Rogue and cry up Ignatius yea and upon the next turn cry up holy Photius whom they had anathematized These doings were familiar with carnal Prelates But as Gods Spirit in his servants is so suited to the Doctrine of the same Spirit that they relish it where they find it so their piety and honesty is such a self-evidencing thing that pious and honest-men that knew them cannot believe their lying slanderers And when Satan hath done his worst the very writings of such men as Calvin Bezâ— Melancthon Hildersham Ames Dod Burges Gataker Vsher Dâ—venant Hâ—ll c. will not suffer men to believe their odious revilers Even among Papists when I read the works of Bernad Gerson Kempis Thâ—ulerus Sales and the Lives of Nerius Renti c. I cannot believe him that would tell me they were wicked men though faulty And the Lives written by Adam Clerk Fuller c. shall be believed before Calumniators Alas how little are most Histories to be believed where they prove not what they say there are about sixty that say there was a Pope Ioan and near as many that say no such thing Hildebrand to one half of the Bishops was the holy Restorer of the Church to the other half the vilest Rebel We are not agreed here â—n London who burnt the City in 1666. nor what parties began the late War nor what party brought the King to death while we are alive that saw these publick facts Not only Lads that knew it not but Heylin the great Reproacher of the Reformers would make men believe that it was Presbyterians in England that began the strife and War when yet he had himself laid so much of it on Archbishops and Bishops and on
the Parliaments complaints of Popery Arminianism and Arbitrary Illegalities and after saith Hist. Presb. p. 465. 470. The truth is that as the English generally were not willing to receive that yoak so neither did the Houses really intend to impose it on them though for a while to hold fair quarter with the Scots they seemed forward in it This appears by their Declaration of April 1646 Nor have they lived to see their dear Presbytery setled or their Lay-Elders entertained in any one Parish of the Kingdome that 's false on the other side and yet all must be done by this Parliament as Presbyterians four years before when they were Episcopal distasting only the persons and actions of Bishop Laud Wren and some other present Bishops If I find a man like Schlusselburgiâ—s fall Pell-mell with reproach on all that differ from him or Dr. Heylin speak of blood with pleasure and as thirsty after more as of Thacker Vdall c. or as designing to make Dissenters odious as he and most of the Papists Historians do as the Image of both Churches Philanax Anglicus the Historical Collections out of Heylin I will believe none of these revilers further than they give me Cogent proof I hear of a Scots Narrative of the Treasons Fornications Witchcrafts and other wickedness of some of the Scottish Presbyterians and as for me the Author knoweth not what to call me unless it be a Baxterian as intending to be a Haeresiarcha being neither Papist nor of the Church of England nor Presbyterian nor Independent c. To this I say I have no acquaintance with any Scots Minister nor ever had in my life except with Bishop Sharp that was murdered and two other Bishops and two or three that live here in London therefore what they are I know not save by Fame But though I have heard that Country asperst as too much inclin'd to Fornication I never before heard the Religious part and Ministers so accused Either it is true or false if false shame be to the reporters if true what doth it concern us here or any that are innocent any further than to abhor it and lament it and to be thankful to God that it is another sort of men that are called Puritans in England and that in all my acquaintance with them these 56 years which hath been with very many in many Countries I remember not that ever I heard of one Puritan man or woman save one accused or suspected of fornication and that one yet living though openly penitent hath lived disowned and shamed to this day but I have heard of multitudes that revile them that make a jest and common practice of it Try whether you can make the Inhabitants of this City believe that the Nonconformists or Puritans are fornicators drunkards or perjured and that their accusers and haters are innocent men that hate them for such Crimes But it s possible that you may make men of other Countries or Ages believe it and believe that we wear Horns and have Cloven Feet and what you will but I fear not all your art or advantages on those that are acquainted with both sides But the misery is that faction ingageth men to associate only with their party where they hear reproaches of the unknown dissenters from whom they so estrange themselves that the Neighbours near them are as much unknown to them save by lying same as if they lived an hundred miles from them I remember Mr. Cressey once wrote to me that he turned from the Protestant Religion to the Roman because there was among us no spiritual Books of Devotion for Soul Elevations and affectionate Contemplation And I told him it was Gods just Judgment on him that lived so strange to his Neighbours because they are called Puritans and to their Writings which Shops and Libraries abound with had he read Bishop Halls Mr. Greenhams Mr. Ri. Rogers Mr. Io. Rogers Mr. Hildershams Mr. Boltons Mr. Perkins Mr. Downhams Mr. Reyners Dr. Sibbes c. yea or no better than my own the Saints Rest the Life of Faith the Divine Life the Christian Directory c. or had he read the Lives of Divines called Puritans or but such as two young men published partly by my self Ioseph Allen and Iohn Ianeway he would never have gone from the Protestants to the Papists because of our formality and want of an affectionate spiritual sort of devotion especially knowing what excess of formality is among the Papists and how much it is of the Clergies accusation of the Puritans that they are for too little form and too much pretence of spiritual devotion But if any called Religious or Puritans or Presbyterians be vicious I know no men that so heartily desire their punishment and ejection as those that are called by the same names I thank God that these twenty years while neither Wit Will nor Power hath been wanting against them I have scarce heard of two men if one that have been judged and proved guilty of any such immorality of all the ejected silenced Ministers in this Land I would I could say so of their Adversaries II. And now I must speak to the Accusers speeches of my self I thank you Sir that you feigned no worse against me if I am an Haeresiarcha why would not you vouchsafe to name that Heresie which I have owned I have given you large Field-room in near 80 Books and few men can so write as that a willing man may not find some words which he is able to call Heresie A little learning wit or honesty will serve for such an hereticating presumption 2. I never heard that Arminius was called an Arminian nor â—â—ther a Lutheran nor Bishop Laud a Laudian but if you be upon the knack of making Names you best know your ends and best know how to fit them to it 3. But seriously do you not know my Judgment will not about 80 Books inform you how then can I help it 4. No but you know not what Party I am of nor what to call me I am sorrier for you in this than for my self if you know not I will tell you I am a CHRISTIAN a MEER CHRISTIAN of no other Religion and the Church that I am of is the Christian Church and hath been visible where ever the Christian Religion and Church hath been visible But must you know what Sect or Paâ—â—y I am of I am against all Sects and dividing Parties But if any will call Meer Christians by the name of a Party because they take up with meer Christianity Creed and Scripture and will not be of any dividing or contentious Sect I am of that Party which is so against Parties If the Name CHRISTIAN be not enough call me a CATHOLICK CHRISTIAN not as that word signifieth an hereticating majority of Bishops but as it signifieth one that hath no Religion but that which by Christ and the Apostles was left to the Catholick Church or the Body of Jesus Christ on Earth
having power to take away Kingdoms and all that men have § 41 42. The Siege of Rome Two Popes Gregory's death § 42. He threatneth to depose the King of France claims Hungary c. § 23. Binnius record of THE POPES DICTATES telling in 27 Articles WHAT POPERY IS § 44. He claimeth Spain § 46 and Dalmatia § 49. A great part of the Bishops against him § 49. Pronounceth unsincere repentance fruitless § 50. Denyeth Divine Service in the Sclavonian tongue § 51. Ill weather imputed to the ill Lives of Priests The Armenians errours what § 51. Apulia c. the Popes § 51. One man turned an hundred thousand men in Spain from the Pope He threatneth to Excommunicate and depose the King of Spain as an Enemy to the Christian Religion § 52. He newly found St. Matthews body § 54. He will expose the Prince of Sardinia unless he obey him in making all Priests shave their beards § 55. Notes hereon The French convert the Sweeds and the Pope would reap the fruit § 56. His notable Epistle to prove Popes Priests and Exorcists above Kings § 57. Answered § 58. Peter pence § 59. An Arch-bishop suspended for not visiting Rome § 60. A pious Lie for Peace is a sin § 61. The old Spanish Liturgy partly contrary to the Christian Faith till now § 62. His respect to William the Conquerour c. § 64 66. The German Bishops hereticate the Pope for forbidding Marriage § 67. Matthew is forsaken § 68. Philip King of France and many great Bishops excommunicate § 69. Divers Councils excommunicating contrarily the Antipopes § 69 to 74. Ordinations null that are made pretio precibus vel obsequio and not by the common consent of Clergy and People § 75. He excommunicateth the Greek Emperour usurping § 76. The Greek affairs summ'd up § 77. The power of Pope and Bishops to depose Kings § 79. A Council Character of Gregory § 80. A Council make Loyalty to be Haeresis Henriciana § 87. The Disciple is not above his Master answered § 87. Wecilo's heresie that men obey not unjust Excommunications but may by others be received § 88. The 23d Schism § 91. Victor's Soldiers conquer Clement's § 92. Lay Princes presentations or Investitures are Heresie every Heretick is an Infidel It 's better be without visible Communion than have it with such § 93. Consectaries overthrowing Rome ib. A new Pope marrieth Mathildis to Welpho on condition they use not carnal Copulation § 94. A Jerusalem expedition causeth peace at home Conrade rebelleth against his Father § 94. The Emperour commits Fornication § 101 103. Wrongs on Monday Wednesday or Thursday no breach of holy peace No Bishop or Priest must swear or promise Allegiance to a King nor take Preferment from any Lay-man § 104. None to communicate in one kind § 105. All the Bishops of England save Rochester renounce obedience and society with Anselme Archbishop of Canterbury because he would not renounce the Pope saying he blasphemed the King setting up any in his Kingdom without his consent § 106. Time given the King of England to repent § 109. The Anti-Pope Clement digg'd up and burnt Paschal 2. Council Decree that all Bishops of the Henrician Heresie Loyalists if alive be deposed if dead digg'd up and burnt that is most of the Western Bishops § 112. The Schism continued § 113. The Pope set up young Henry against his Father who taketh him Prisoner to the death He keeps his Fathers Corps five years unburied because Excommunicate Yet proveth Hereticus Henricianus Imprisoneth the Pope till he grant him Investitures The Pope absolveth himself § 114 115. Cases on Binnius § 116. Note that Investitures supposed the People and Clergies free choice of Bishops § 117. The Bishops usage of old Henry to the last § 118. To take the Popes Excommunications as not obligatory is a Heresie § 119. The dangerous Doctrine of Fluentius Bishop of Florence that Anti-Christ was come § 120. Only the Church made Henry rebell § 121 122. Tybur coloured with bloud The Earl of Millans Flesh given to Dogs The Popes sacramental Covenant broken § 127. God will have no involuntary service § 129. The same is a Henrician Heresie in others which is none in the Pope § 132. He may forswear for the People of God § 132. Two Popes contending and excommunicating The Emperour giveth up Investitures § 135 to 138. Four Doctrines of Guilb Porretane condemned in Council 1. That Divinitas and Deus are not the same in signification 2. That the three Persons are not unum aliquid 3. That there are eternal Relations besides the Persons 4. That it was not the Divine Nature that was incarnate Two more Popes § 138 142. A Preacher murdered at Rome § 144. Two more Popes the succession from the wrong § 145. They fight for it § 146. How Clergy and People first lost their Votes in choice of Popes § 147. Two Popes still striving § 149 c. Many Castles in England built by two Bishops § 160. Abailard condemned unheard § 161. Caelestine II. the first Pope without the Peoples election An. 1143. Rome against the Pope Bishops are his strength § 168. Porretane again accused and puzzled the Council § 170. He is again accused by Bernard whom the Cardinals accuse for writing his Faith and getting Bishops hands to it § 171. The Romane people excommunicate by Pope Adrian 4. They are for a Preacher called by him an heretick § 174. Rome fighteth with Pope and Emperour They fight again and expel the Pope § 174. The 27 pair of Popes Wars between the Emperour Frederick and Pope The Crown of England held as from the Pope Yet Rome receiveth him not The Emperour submitteth being deserted c. § 175. The setling the choice of Popes by Cardinals The Pope no Bishop by the Canons § 177. The Roman Succession is from Alex. 3. when the Clergie People Emperour Princes and a Council of innumerable Bishops were for Victor § 176. Parliaments called Councils § 179. Ireland the Popes § 180. The Albigenses Henricians § 181. No Bishop may suspend a Presbyter without the judgment of his Chapter A perjured Clergie-man perpetually deprived Doubtful words to be understood as usually § 182. The Popes Party in Rome have their Eyes put out § 183. Frederick drowned in Asia § 187. The Kingdom of France interdicted § 190. The Pope seus up an Anti-Emperour who prevaileth § 192. England interdicted six years and three months § 194. The famous twelfth General Council at the Laterane under Inoc. 3. for Transubstantiation exterminating hereticks deposing Princes absolving Subjects forbidding unlicensed Preachers c. § 195. Almaricus burnt dead § 196. Stephen Langton and King John § 197. Ten Queries upon this Council § 198. The Canons of this Council true Mr. Dodwel's 17 Arguments for it § 199. The Papists excuses answered § 180. misnumbred The bloody Execution § 181. Oxford Canons that every great Parish have two or three Presbyters c. § 183.
contradiction and action in this matter is neither contradiction nor rebellion but the filial honour due to the Divine Father and of you Briefly recollecting all I say the sanctity of the Apostick Seat can do nothing but what tendeth to edification and not to destruction For this is the plenitude of power to be able to do all to edification But these things which they call provisions are not to edification but to most manifest destruction Therefore the blessed Seat of the Apostle cannot accept them because flesh and blood hath revealed them which possess not the things that are of God and not the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ who is in Heaven § 196. When the Pope heard this Letter saith Mat. Paris p. 872. Not containing himself through wrath and indignation with a writhin aspect and a proud mind he saith who is this doting old man deaf and absurd who boldly and rashly judgeth my doings By St. Peter and St. Paul if our innate ingenuity did not move us I would precipitate him into so great confusion that he should be to the whole World a Fable a Stupor an example and a prodigy IS NOT THE KING OF ENGLAND OVR VASSAL AND I SAY MORE OVR SLAVE WHO CAN WITH OVR NOD IMPâ—RISON HIM AND ENSLAVE HIM TO REPROACH These things being recited among the Cardinal brethren with much ado asswaging the rage of the Pope they said to him It is not expedient O Lord that we decree any hard thing against this Bishop himself For that we may confess the truth the things are true which he speaketh We cannot condemn him He is a Catholick Yea a most holy man more religious than we are more holy and excellent than we and of a more excellent life so that it is believed that there is not among all the Prelates a greater no nor any equal to him This is known to the whole Clergy of France and England Our contradiction will not prevail The truth of this Epistle which perhaps is already known to many may stir up many against us For he is esteemed a great Philosopher fully learned in Greek and Latine a man zealous for justice a Reader of Theology in the Schools a Preacher to the people a Lover of chastity a persecutor of Simonists These words said the Lord Aegidius a Spanish Cardinal and others whom their own Consciences did touch They counselled the Pope to wink at all this and pass it by with dissimulation lest tumults should be raised about it especially for this reason that IT IS KNOWN THAT A DEPARTVRE WILL SOMETIME COME so far Mat. Paris § 197. Yet neither this Bishop nor the Historian flattered Princes but both of them sadly lament the oppression and other sins of King Henry And the Bishop commanded his Presbyters to denounce excommunication against all that should break the Magna Charta the Charters heretofore granted foreseeing saith Mat. Paris what the King would do And he sharply reprehended the Fryar Minors that would not tell Great men of their sin when they had nothing to lose Cantabit Vacuus c. having chosen poverty that they might be freer from hindering temptations § 198. When he lay on his death bed at Bugden in Huntingtonshire he told Ioh. Aegidius his learned friend that he took them for manifest Hereticks that did not boldly detect and reprove the sins of great men and thereupon reprehended and lamented the sins of Prelates but especially the Roman reciting their putting unworthy and bad men into the Pastoral office for kindred or friendship sake The third day before his death he called to him many of his Clergie and lamenting the loss of souls by Papal avarice groaning he said Christ came into the world to win souls Is not he then deservedly to be called Antichrist who feareth not to destroy souls God made all the World in six dayes but to repair man he laboured above thirty years And is not a destroyer of souls then judged an enemy of God and Antichrist c. Next he goeth on to shew how sinfully the Pope by his non obstante overthrew even the rights that his Predecessors had granted vainly pretending that they bind nothing because par in parem non habet potestatem and what evils to the Churches he had done and addeth I saw a Letter of the Popes in which I found inserted that they that make their Wills or that undertake the Crâ—isado and to help the holy land shall receive just so much indulgence as they give money c. And so goeth on naming his imposing men that cannot preach or strangers of other languages as Pastors on the people and his covetous and greedy devouring all the wealth he could get concluding Ejus avaritiae totus non sufficit orbis Ejus luxuriae Meretrix non sufficit omnis And that he drew Kings in for his own ends making them partakers of the prey Prophecying that the 〈◊〉 will not be freed from Egyptian servitude but by the mouth of 〈…〉 These things are small but worse will follow within three years sighing and weeping out these words his speech failed him and he died And ibid. Mat. Paris saith that the same night that he died wonderful Musical sounds and Ringings were heard near in the Air by several friars and by Fulk Bishop of London then not far off who said when he heard it that he was confident their reverend Father Brother and Master the Venerable Bishop of Lincoln was passing out of the World to Heaven The Bishop being dead the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln fell out in striving who in the vacancy had the power of giving Prebends wherein the Arch-Bishop by Power utterly oppressed them And M. Paris p. 880. affirmeth that Miracles were done after the death of this Bishop by his virtues at Lincoln and yet confesseth some of his faults and his sharp thundring against Monks and Nuns c. § 199. The same Author tells us p. 883. anno 1254. that the Pope was so unmeasureabley wrathful against this holy Learned Bishop that when he was dead he would have taken up his bones and cast them out of the Church and purposed to precipitate him into so great infamy that he should be proclaimed a Heathen a rebel and disobedient to the whole world and he commanded a Letter to that purpose to be written to the King of England knowing that the King would be mad enough against him and ready enough to prey upon the Church But the next night the said Bishop of Lincoln appeared to him in his episcopal attire with a severe countenance an austere look and terrible voice he came and spake to the Pope that was restless in his bed pricking him in the side with a violent thrust with the point of his pastoral staffe which he carried and said miserable Pope Senebald Dost thou purpose in disgrace of me and the Church of Lincoln to cast my bones out of the
both to summon a Council they cunningly would not agree of the place and so forced the doing it without them § 265. CCCCLXVII To put a shew on the business Greg. calleth a Council at Aquileia whether by long delays he creepeth with a few to do nothing § 266. CCCCLXVIII And the other Pope Bened. 13. Anno 1409 also calleth his Council in Arragone of his Subjects which calleth it self a General Council and pronounce him the true Pope and no Schismatick or Heretick and Greg. to be the Usurper but exhort him to endeavour Unity § 267. CCCCLXIX The two Popes giving no better hopes some of the Cardinals of both sides slipt from them and by the Countenance of the Florentines and King Ladislaus chose Pisa for a General Council where they met and summoned both the Popes who scorned them and they deposed them both as Hereticks and Schismaticks saith Binius forbidding all Christians to obey them and they chose a third Alexander 5. and the two old ones kept up still and so there were three Popes at once § 268. An. 1409. Alex. 5. is chosen much commended but died in eighteen Months some say saith Antoninus poysoned by a Clyster But to shew himself a Pope in that little time he deposed King Ladislaus and gave his Kingdome to Lewis Duke of Anjou § 269. Balthasar Cossa is next chosen called by some Ioh. 21. by others 22. by others 23. and by Platina Ioh. 24. so little are they agreed of their succession Platina saith the Cardinals of Greg. were yet poor and he hired them with Money to Create him He got Sigismund King of Bohemia chosen Emperour and would have had the Council to be at Rome Italy continued still in blood the Popes having parcelled it into so many small Principalities to secure it against the Emperours no part of the whole World lived from Age to Age in such continual War and confusion This Pope saith Onuphrius Panvinus viz. fuit bello armis quam Religioni aptior utpote qui neque fidem norat neque Religionem rebus profanis magis quam Divino cultu accommodatus How he was accused deposed imprisoned how the other two Popes Greg. 12. and Bened. 13. were all deposed with him and Martin 5. chosen the next Chapter sheweth CHAP. XIII The Council of Constance Basil and some others § 1. CCCCLXX AN. 1414. the Council of Constance was called by the means of the Emperour Sigismund and the consent of Pope Iohn who the more trusted the Emperour because he had promoted him There were then three Popes Bened. 13. in France whom the Kingdomes of France Spain Arragon England and Scotland followed and Greg. 12. and Iohn 23. at Rome that divided the rest of the Papalines It was not certainly to represent the Trinity but to profane the Name and abuse the Kingdome of the blessed Trinity Oct. 28. P. Iohn called by them Sanctissimus Dominus Noster entereth the City Nov. 5. The Pope began the Council Nov. 16. was the first Session the Pope speaking to them and his Bull being read shewing that he would have had the Council at Rome but the miserable case of Rome by contention and confusion hindering it was agreed with the Emperour to be at Constance commanding to be there for the peace of the Church and appointing a Weekly Mass to be said for obtaining Gods blessing and pardoning a years penance for every Mass to every Mass-Priest that said it exhorting all to fasting and prayer for good success charging them to look after Errours especially those that rose from one Iohn Wickliff and also to reform the Church c. March 2. 1415. The Pope took an Oath for the peace of the Church to lay down his Popedome if the other two Popes would do the same and the Emperour kist his feet The Cardinal of Florence read these Decrees 1. That the Council was lawfully called 2. That it will not be dissolved by the departure of the Pope or other Prelates 3. That it be not dissolved till the present Schisme be healed and the Church reformed in Faith and Manners in Head and Members 4. That it be not removed but on just cause 5. That the Bishops depart not § 2. In the fourth Session they decreed that the general Council representing the militant Catholick Church hath its power immediately from Christ to which every man of what State or dignity soever though it be Papal is bound to obey in the things that belong to Faith and the extirpation of the said Schism and the general reformation of the Church in head and members 2. That the Pope withdraw not himself or the Officers and if he should or should thunder out Church censures against them or any adhering to the Council they are void 3. That no Translations Promotions or Cardinals be made to the prejudice of the Council 4. That three of each Nations be chosen to judge of departures c. But the Pope fled and sent them word that it was not for fears but for his health § 3. Sess. 5. The Emperor being among them they decreed again the Power of the Council as immediately from Christ which the Pope and all must obey and that the Pope is punishable if he disobey that he is bound to surrender in any case of great and evident profit to the Church that he unlawfully departed that if he will return and perform his promise he shall be safe Next they proceeded to condemn the Books of Iohn Wickliff and to prosecute Iohn Huss Next they applied themselves to the Emperour to reduce the Pope who told them he was in the hands of the Duke of Austria but if they pleased he would write to him or try to fetch him by force c. § 4. Sess. 6. They order the Procuration for the Popes Resignation to be demanded and Process to be made against Iohn Huss and Hierome of Prague A Letter is read from the University of Paris to the Pope to submit to the Council § 5. Sess. 7. They accused Hierome of Prague for not appearing and summoned the Pope promising him safe Conduct sed salvâ Iustitiâ c. § 6. Sess. 8 They condemned Wickliff's Bones to be dig'd up upon 45 Articles instead of 260 which they had gathered Art 1. was 1. That the substance material of Bread and Wine remain in the Sacrament of the Altar 2. The Accidents of Bread remain not without the substance 3. Christ is not identically and really in his proper bodily presence in the Sacrament 4. If a Bishop or Priest live in mortal sin he Ordaineth not Baptizeth not Consecrateth not 5. The Gospel saith not that Christ instituted the Mass. 6. God ought to obey the Devil 7. If a man be contrite aright outward confession is needless and unprofitable 8. If the Pope be a Reprobate and wicked and so a Member of the Devil he hath no power over the faithful given him by any but Caesar. 9. Since Vrban the
University of Wittenberge clave to him and especially Philip Melancthon that excellent man how the Free Cities with many Princes came in to them and joyned how many Petitions and Disputations there were about it how the Augustine Confession was written and the Apology for it how it turned to a War how the Elector of Saxony and Philip Landgrave of Hassâ—a were taken prisoners how Maurice of Saxony siding with the Emperour was made Elector and Iohn Frederick dispossest how the same Maurice after to vindicate Philip of Hassia took Arms against the Emperour and forced him to flight and finally to some degree of toleration for the Protestants All these things the History of the Reformation written by divers telleth you at large as also how many great and excellent Divines were suddenly raised up to stand for Reformation as soon as Tyranny was so far abated as that men might freely shew their minds it soon appeared that most had been long subjugated to the Pope more by violence than by consent when the Emperour was necessitated to a Toleration he consulted for some abatement to procure Concord and by Agricola Sidonius and Iulius Pflug an Antinomian turned back to Popery drew up a middle form of worship called the Interim which he would have all conform to till a General Council which divided the Reformers among themselves while some as moderate and to avoid total ruine of the Church yielded to part and others refused and multitudes of Ministers were therefore ejected and persecuted This great Emperour Charles the Fifth after long Wars and many Victories and sharp Persecutions was at last weary of all and resigned his Empire and betook himself to a private life in Spain where he died strongly suspected of repentance and inclination to the Reformed Doctrine himself He bequeathed nothing as was usual to any Religious House or Order There were found papers about him for the Protestant Doctrine of Justification his Confessor and another Doctor that attended him were hereupon suspected of Heresie and one persecuted and the other put to death by the Inquisition Thus errour sin and worldly violence are never true to themselves but must be repented of at last and none can stand to them when the light prevaileth § 60. But to return to Pope Leo when he had made above forty Cardinals exercised many cruelties and made a League with the Emperour against the French to drive them out of Italy when his Arms had prevailed and the French were expelled and Milan recovered and some Cities restored to the Church that is to the Pope the excessive joy for the Victory so â—oved him that saith Onuphrius he fell into a Fevâ—r of which he died but not without suspition of poyson The same Onuphrius whom I follow saith that he was a diligent observer of divine things given to the sacred Ceremonies but he was profusely given to Voluptuousness Hunting Hawking Luxury splendid Feastings Musick and to get money sold Cardinalships invented Offices c. and yet was the most liberal of all the Popes that ever had lived to that day excessively loving Musick c. This was Papal Piety by which he merited a Monument inscribed OPTIMO PRINCIPI LEONIX c. saith Onuphrius In all his life he desired nothing more ardently than the highest glory of liberality from which other Priests use to be very far off Perhaps for this glory Tecelius must get money by selling Pardons which began his fall Verily they have their reward saith Christ of Hypocrites that do their Alms to be seen of men § 61. It is to be noted that as the great ignorance and wicked lives of the Roman Clergy were the great advantage to Luthers success as the gross idolatry and wickedness of Heathens was to Christianity of old and the Learning and Piety of the Reformers were the means of their common acceptance so hereupon the Papacy perceived a necessity of greater Learning and some Reformation for its own defence from utter ruine whereupon many were awakened and addicted to seek Learning and some Provincial Councils made some Canons for amending the Clergies lives so that their encrease of Learning and some amendment of manners was occasioned by the Protestants yea the Popes themselves have since then been far less vicious and turbulent than before § 62. And all Christian Princes have cause to be thankful to the Reformers and to acknowledge that from them they have now the safety of their Crowns and Dignities and their peace and by them of Subjects they are restored to a great degree of freedome I mean even those that yet are Papists the Pope dare not now damn them as Henrician Hereticks as he long had done he dare not be so bold in taking away and giving Kingdomes he dare not execute his Laws against Princes Investituâ—es nor excommunicate them and depose them and absolve their Subjects nor interdict whole Kingdomes and shut up Church doors nor so much as openly profess that he hath power from God and S. Peter to depose Kings according to their Merits and to set up others in their stead O how much quieter is Italy Spain France Germany c. since the Reformation and how much less troubled with Papal terrours and wars than heretofore and all is for fear lest if the Pope should anger them the rest of the Princes should forsake him Heretofore if one Kingdome stood up against the Pope the rest were ready blindly to obey his Commands to fall upon them and destroy them But now the Reformed Nations have more strength to defend themselves and those that shall joyn with them The truth is it is Reformation that hath made even the Papists Princes Free-men § 63. The History of all the Roman horrid bloody cruelties by which they laboured to suppress Reformation I here omit because as it well deserveth it is written in many large volumns by it self I mean the bloody murders of the Albigenses Waldenses Bohemians the cruelties of the Inquisition in Spain Belgia and other parts The Massacre in France The burning people in England and the murders in Ireland and in other countries you may read them at large in many Histories In Thuanus Sleidan Illericus Morney Perin Moreland the Belgian and French Histories Foxe's Acts and Monuments and summarily in Mr. Sam. Clerks Martyrology And Carion Mâ—lancton Micreleus D. Paraeus Vignerius Scullâ—tus Bucholcer Fuactius and many others give you an account of the Reformation And the Lives of the German Divines written by Melchior Adaunes yea and of their Lawyers Physicians and Philosophers giveth not an unpleasant light into that History So that for me here to treat of the Reformation in a large volumn to do what is so often done already would be incougruous The making of Vrban the 6th the Emperours Schoolmaster Pope and the Wars in his time The Succession of Clement the 7th and the Italian Wars in his time between the Emperour and the French and others and the taking of